Krunal Pandya dismissed Jos Buttler for 19 runs off 23 balls during the IPL 2026 Final match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Gujarat Titans (GT) on May 31, 2026. Prior to the dismissal, Gujarat Titans were trying to rebuild their innings after losing early wickets. Jos Buttler, known for his explosive ability to take games away from opposition teams, was being kept quiet by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) bowling attack, scoring a patient 19 runs off 23 balls.
Krunal Pandya, executing a precise defensive line, noticed Buttler growing impatient and looking for a boundary to break the shackles. Anticipating Krunal's orthodox left-arm spin, Buttler danced down the wicket to launch the ball over the long-on boundary.
Krunal showed incredible situational awareness. Instead of completing his standard trajectory, he pulled his length back and fired the ball extremely wide of the off-stump. The delivery was clocked at an astonishing 114 km/h, effectively a medium-pace yorker rather than a traditional spin delivery. Buttler was completely stranded outside his crease, failing to connect with the ball. Wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma gathered the sharp, fast take cleanly and whipped off the bails in a flash.
The wicket was widely celebrated as a masterclass in modern T20 bowling. Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar took to social media to highlight Krunal's composure, pointing out how the bowler held his release until the absolute last millisecond to see exactly where Buttler's feet were moving.
Sachin Tendulkar praises Krunal Pandya’s composure while bowling against GT
Sachin Tendulkar hailed Krunal Pandya’s dismissal of Jos Buttler as a tactical masterclass, focusing heavily on the extreme patience, game awareness, and nerves of steel required to pull off such a delivery under the immense pressure of the IPL 2026 Final.
Tendulkar wrote: "What a fabulous delivery by @krunalpandya24! He watched the batter's feet until the very last moment before releasing the perfect ball to send him back to the dressing room.” Tendulkar highlighted how most left-arm spinners panic and drag their length down mechanically when they see a destructive batsman like Buttler charging out of his crease.
Krunal's ability to hold his release point, process Buttler's feet movement mid-stride, and adjust his line instantly is what separate good players from big-game performers. Before the wicket, Buttler was utterly starved for runs due to a suffocating field placement and immaculate bowling lines. His mounting frustration was visible after sending two consecutive aggressive strokes directly into the hands of infielders. Krunal completed his spell as RCB’s ultimate defensive weapon of the final. He completely broke the scoring rhythm of the Gujarat Titans middle order, leaving them struggling at 73/4 in 12.1 overs.
